S&T’s first building: the Rolla Building

Missouri S&T’s first building still stands and is home to our mathematics and statistics department. Built for Rolla’s high school, the City of Rolla originally owned the building and leased half of it to the University of Missouri Board of Curators for the soon-to-be university.

Construction was completed just five days before the university opened on Nov. 6, 1871.

In January 1875, Missouri S&T purchased the building from the city for $25,000. 

Today the Rolla Building joins Parker Hall and Norwood Hall as the only remaining buildings where students were educated during our first 50 years.

Share This Story

Spark a Memory?

Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).

Football, a history

Football, a history

The first game in Miner football history was played on Nov. 20, 1893, and the first Miner touchdown wasn’t scored…

Memories from “Mr. Miner,” Jerry Bayless

Memories from “Mr. Miner,” Jerry Bayless

After earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1959, Jerry Bayless began teaching in the department...

Setting new trends

Setting new trends

Tamiko Youngblood, MinE’92, MS EMgt’94, PhD EMgt’97, was a woman of many “firsts.” She was the first African American woman…

Wharton makes KC Chiefs’ roster

Wharton makes KC Chiefs’ roster

Former Missouri S&T defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton, who earned All-America honors while a Miner, made the 2020 opening day roster…

One man’s WWII timeline

One man’s WWII timeline

Jesse Bowen, EE’49, joined the Army during peacetime and was a radio operator for B-10 bombers. Immediately after Pearl Harbor…

A civil war fortress

A civil war fortress

As the Civil War raged on, the Union Army, following a defeat at Wilson’s Creek in southwest Missouri, fell back…